The bridge over the Mat River on the Lezhë–Milot axis is the third bridge in this area to have suffered damage. Uncontrolled interventions in the riverbed have brought significant consequences, causing erosion near the bridge's supporting legs. For this reason, immediate intervention is required by the ARA to prevent further deterioration of the situation.
The importance of the automobile bridge over the Mat River is even greater as it is currently the only functional connection that unites Milot with Lezha and Shkodra. Previously, the Bird Bridge, a first-category cultural monument, was also severely damaged, as well as the bridge on the old Lezha-Milot axis, which has been blocked since July of last year.
This bridge also serves as an important road corridor towards the border with Montenegro. For this reason, any damage to it directly affects vehicle traffic and the connection of the northern areas of the country.
The bridge over the Mat River is about 300 meters long and was built in 2002 with the support of the Italian government. Since its construction, no significant interventions have been carried out to protect it from erosion or to strengthen the supporting legs.
It is learned that its damage is also due to the fact that about 40 companies that deal with the extraction of inert materials operate in the Mat riverbed, while some of them are suspected of not having regular exploitation permits. Large piles of inert materials are also observed on the banks of the river, which testify to the intensive activity of this sector in the area.
Therefore, the responsible authorities must act as soon as possible to prevent another disaster for which they will once again blame the rain.
